CHIANG MAI, Thailand (AP) - Women's tennis giants Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova both rode elephants yesterday, a day before playing an exhibition match in northern Thailand as part of their preparations for the Australian Open.

After ending an injury-hit 2004 as the world's No 9 player, Williams predicted better things for this year.
"I think 2005 will be a great year for me," she said in the city of Chiang Mai, where she was scheduled to take on Wimbledon champion Sharapova today at the 700th Anniversary Stadium.

US tennis player Venus Williams (centre) during a visit to an elephant village in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand yesterday. She is due to play an exhibition match in Thailand against Maria Sharapova of Russia today. (Photos: AFP)

Chiang Mai is a town in the hills of northern Thailand, hundreds of kilometres from the devastation and death wreaked on the nation's southern beaches by the December 26 tsunami.

The official death toll in Thailand from the giant waves rose yesterday from 4,560 to 4,812. Another 6,541 were still listed as missing and authorities fear most were dead.
Williams said that after a frustrating 2004, during which she won only two titles, she felt her game was returning.

"I feel very good and hit the balls very well," she said. "Last year was a challenge for me. I have learned a lot about myself."
Venus is in the northern city with mother and coach Oracene Price.
Yesterday she visited an elephant training centre and rode one of the giant symbols of Thailand.

"I would never imagine that I would ride an elephant in Thailand," she said. "I've never had this kind of experience because we don't have things like this back home in California."
Sharapova trained in the morning and then also hopped on the back of an elephant in the afternoon.

On Sunday morning, the stars were to conduct a coaching clinic for Thai children before their afternoon singles showdown, after which they planned a doubles match, with Williams teaming up with Thai No 2 Suchanan Viratprasert and Sharapova with Tamarine Tanasugarn.

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